also known as "Calvinism"
God's sovereignty in salvation can be summed up in 5 basic points. The acronym "ELECT" can be used to easily remember these 5 points:
E - Exhaustive Depravity L - Lord-centered Election E - Effectual Atonement C - Conquering Grace T - Triumphant Saints
Why not use the old "TULIP" acronym instead? Click here to find out.Sin has exhaustively reached into every part of man. Man is not as evil as he could be, but there is no part of man that is unaffected by sin. Natural man has no "island of righteousness" that remains able to do truly good works.
God does not elect people for salvation based on foreknown faith, foreknown good works, or anything else good about a person. However, God does have reasons for making His choices. He is always centered upon seeking His own glory, so when he elects someone to salvation, it is for Lord-centered reasons, not man-centered reasons.
Arminians believe that God intended the atonement for every person in the world, but that the atonement fails to accomplish the forgiveness of most people. Arminians think that Jesus died for many people who will still end up going to hell. Calvinists, on the other hand, believe that Christ's death was 100% successful and effective. The atonement was only for the elect, and Jesus actually atoned for (paid for) all the sins of all elect people. Christ's atonement did not fail for even one intended person. If Jesus died for a person, then that person's sins will certainly be forgiven. The atonement of Christ was 100% effectual.
God's grace to the elect is frequently resisted at first. But God's grace never fails to achieve its ultimate goal. God gives grace, and the elect may resist for a while, but God's grace will ultimately be victorious, and will conquer all resistance.
God Sovereignly protects His elect people, and will make sure that they are ultimately triumphant. Christians stumble sometimes, and even may go through periods of time where they don't seem to be persevering so well. But Jesus will always pick such persons back up, and will make sure that the elect ultimately endure in their faith, and are finally victorious over sin
Article by Joseph M. Gleason - March, 2005
Want a detailed description of God's Sovereignty, according to the WCF? Click here
Want to read some more good articles about God's Sovereignty & Providence? Click here, and also click here
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